The Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) along with other stakeholders of the Columbia-Snake River System will participate in a Mississippi River Tour from June 24 to June 28. The tour aims to understand the challenges other river systems face and to explore how these systems are being maintained for future use.
Participants include representatives from the Port of Lewiston, Shaver Transportation, Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, Columbia River Pilots, and American Cruise Lines. This diverse group represents various industries and users who rely on the Columbia-Snake River System, also known as Marine Highway 84 or M-84.
WAWG Executive Director Michelle Hennings emphasized the importance of national collaboration among river user groups, stating, "It is vitally important that we collaborate and work with other river user groups across the U.S., as they face many of the same challenges we do, such as funding to maintain system infrastructure, misleading lawsuits that impede river operations, and extreme climate events that negatively impact river traffic."
Port of Lewiston General Manager Scott Corbitt shared his enthusiasm for the trip, saying, "I am excited to learn more about commerce on the Mississippi River and the ports that make it happen. We can learn a lot from each other, especially regarding the challenges to river navigation and barging."
Columbia River Pilots President Jeremy Nielsen echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the opportunity to understand the uniqueness of each river system and the potential for future political collaboration to strengthen river transportation systems.
Anthony Peña from the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association noted, "Our organization is looking forward to this opportunity to forge new partnerships and learn from the maritime sector along the Mississippi River. This opportunity is a moment to elevate and highlight the importance of both our inland waterway systems."
During the five-day trip, the group will present at an Upper Mississippi River Association meeting, visit one of the locks on the Mississippi, tour multiple ports at the southern end of the river system, and visit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' dam and levee simulation model and museum in Vicksburg, Miss.
WAWG has been dedicated to enriching the Washington wheat industry since 1954. The nonprofit trade association relies on volunteers, membership dues, and donations to represent the interests of Washington wheat families at both the state and national levels. WAWG monitors transportation, research, and natural resources policy, and collaborates with the National Association of Wheat Growers to monitor national farm policy.
For more information, visit https://www.wawg.org.
